Doohan's Ashes Loaded Into Rocket

The ashes of deceased Original Series actor James Doohan (Montgomery Scott) are set to be blasted off into space from a New Mexico launch site on the 28th of April.

According to a report in USA Today, last Friday Charles Chafer, who runs the company responsible for bringing Doohan's remains into orbit, inserted a silver canister into the rocket that will be used for the space funeral. Along with Doohan, a few grams of the ashes of about 200 other people will be blasted into space, including those of former Mercury astronaut Gordon Cooper and Original Series writer-producer John Meredyth Lucas.

"And we're ready to go," Chafer said after he placed the canister into the rocket. The rocket will be launched on the 28th of April, preceded a day earlier by a public memorial service at the New Mexico Space History Museum in Alamagordo. At this event, friends and fans will be able to attend a special commemoration of his life and contributions. "There's no doubt that we'll find a way to accommodate fans who travel here and want to be part of that experience," promised Chafer.

James Doohan passed away on the 20th of July, 2005, at the age of 85. His ashes were originally scheduled to be sent off into space in November, 2005, from a launch site in California. Technical problems later caused several delays, leading to a semi-regular resurgence of media stories focusing on the imminent launch of Doohan's remains. After abandoning the Californian launch site, Doohan's ashes are now finally set to be carried aboard a SpaceLoft XL rocket, which will be launched from Spaceport America in New Mexico.

For the original report from USA Today, please follow this link. Further information from the company organising the launch can be found here.